What Are Defra Approved Stoves?
Also known as Defra Exempt Stoves and Smoke Control Approved Stoves These stoves are typically designed to burn Defra approved smokeless fuels, such as Anthracite ovals. However, they will not be suitable to use with wood.
To be deemed Defra exempt, a stove has to be tested in a laboratory for air controls and flue draught. These tests are slightly different from actual conditions.
Clean Burn Technology
A DEFRA-approved stove is a multifuel or wood-burning stove that has been through a rigorous test developed by the UK Government Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The test confirms that the stove is able to burn approved smokeless fuels, such as briquettes or logs, in smoke Controlled Areas. This type of stove will not only be better for the environment but it will also benefit your neighbors as it reduces nuisance fumes.
These DEFRA stoves have a special combustion technology that enables them to sleep or slumber longer than other stoves. They can burn smokeless fuels that are approved in a safe and efficient manner, while preserving the required heat output for your home. They do this by limiting the oxygen supply into the firebox, which forces the fuel to burn at a low amount until it's completely depleted.
Defra stoves are typically referred to as SE stoves or smoke-free stoves. They also will have the label or badge bearing the DEFRA Logo. You might see them marked as Ecodesign compliant 2022 to indicate they will be compliant with the new Ecodesign emission limits when they go into effect next year.
There are many aspects to consider when buying a DEFRA. These include the design of stove, the types of fuels you can burn as well as the amount of heat that it can generate. There are also some additional options to consider like a simple remote control system or an air-washing system.
When selecting a DEFRA woodburning or multi-fuel stove, it's important to think about the style of decor you want to incorporate into your home as there are many styles to choose from. If you're looking for a stove to be installed in an existing fireplace, or inglenook there are a variety of traditional stoves to choose from, whereas there are also modern and contemporary models that look stunning without mantles or surrounds. You will also have to think about the type of fuel you want to use. There are DEFRA approved stoves and wood burners which are exempt from regulations.
Smoke Controlled Areas
Smoke Control Areas are defined in most UK towns and cities. If you live in such an area you'll require a DEFRA-exempt wood stove or multifuel stove. These stoves are designed to comply to the Clean Air Act regulations, and have been tested for smokeless combustion.
The main characteristic of the DEFRA approved stove is that they have been designed with Clean Burn technology, which is how they are able to be smoke free. This is done by injecting oxygen into the combustion chamber constantly until the fuel has been consumed. This means that the fire will not be turned off, as in a conventional stove. It will continue to burn low until all the fuel is consumed and the exhaust gases have been eliminated.
This allows you to legally use the stove in a Smoke Control Area using 'authorized fuels', which are wood and manufactured smokeless fuels (anthracite, smokeless briquettes and firelogs). This is in contrast to non-Defra models which can only be used within a Smoke Control Area if they are fitted with a special smoke control kit.
It is possible to fit the Smoke Control Kit on a wood burning stove that is not exempt from DEFRA However, this is not recommended. You could expose your family to risk by inhaling toxic gases and toxins which can cause lung damage. The use of a non DEFRA exempt wood burning stove in a Smoke Control Area may result in large fines.
Stovax offers a broad selection of wood burning and multi-fuel fireplaces, stoves and fires that are all DEFRA exempt and are suitable for use in smoke controlled areas. Please enter your postcode to locate the nearest dealer. Our dealers will be glad to assist you in finding the perfect DEFRA-approved stove for your home.
It is important to remember that all new stoves should be installed by HETAS-registered installers to ensure that they are fitted safely and comply with current building regulations. A DEFRA-approved stove that is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas can help reduce emissions, leading to a reduction in amount of sulphur dioxide in the air. From 2022, the EU-wide Ecodesign regulation will establish minimum efficiencies OGV, NOX and NOX ceilings and emissions limits which appear to be more strict than the current requirements for Defra Exempt stoves.
Smokeless Fuels
When selecting a stove that uses smokeless fuels, there are many things to consider. The stove must be approved by DEFRA to be used in areas with smoke control. The appliance has been put to rigorous tests to reduce particulate emissions. In addition there are a variety of stoves that use specially designed smokeless fuels that burn more cleanly than traditional coal. This means they are better for the environment and your neighbors!
Smokeless fuels are generally anthracite based and come in the form of brquettes. They are designed to be more eco-friendly than traditional coal, and they can last 40% longer. Smokeless fuels also generate more heat and release less carbon dioxide than traditional coal.
They cost more than traditional coal, however they have many advantages to offer you and your family. They are easier to ignite and do not produce as much soot or Ash. This means that your stove grates and glass screen will not need cleaning as often. They also create a more lively flame and do not emit the same amount of smoke that is a nuisance.
It is important to be aware that if your house is located in a zone of smoke control that you are only permitted to use wood or authorised fuels to heat your stove. this article could be fined if you burn unauthorised fuels. If you decide to use a wood stove that isn't DEFRA approved, you could create smoke that could cause trouble for your neighbors.
It is therefore crucial to purchase a DEFRA exempt stove to allow you to use smokeless fuels in your home. All stoves in this category have gone through rigorous testing to ensure they meet the DEFRA regulations and that they don't emit noxious smoke. This is achieved by ensuring that the stoves use the most recent combustion technology to prevent part-burned combustibles being released into air.
Warranty
DEFRA stoves are wood-burning or multi fuel stoves that have been approved to be used in Smoke Control Areas. They have gone through rigorous testing to ensure they provide clean and efficient combustion, with low emissions, and the best performance. They also come in various styles to suit your interior and style.
Defra approved stoves are called SE Stoves in the industry, Smoke Exempt Stoves or Smoke Control Stoves with Area Approval. All of these terms are referring to the same type of stove that has been verified to be in compliance with strict UK regulations that limit smoke for a set period of time.
The stove can only be used with approved smokeless fuels, such as anthracite or blue flame anthracite. If you try to burn anything other than approved smokeless fuels, it will produce nuisance smoke that can cause respiratory issues for people suffering from asthma. It is the responsibility of the installer and the customer to check that the appliance is appropriate for their home by using the Defra calculator, making sure all chimney parts are correct and that the minimum distances to combustibles have been adhered to and that the size of the hearth is suitable for the stove that is being installed.
Stoves installed incorrectly may cause damage, leakage, and may void the warranty. Installation must be carried out by a HETAS certified engineer to ensure that the stove is safe and correctly installed. The warranty does not cover consumables like glass rope seals for glass windows and doors, paint finishes, internal lining plates, firebricks and baffles. These parts are considered customer replaceable and can be purchased when needed. Damage to the stove caused by high moisture or salty air environments is not covered under the warranty, neither.
Purchasing a DEFRA stove is an investment into your home, not just for the warmth it provides you, but also for the security of knowing that you are doing everything you can to safeguard the environment and your neighbors too. When you select a DEFRA approved wood burning or multi fuel stove, you can rest assured that you will be enjoying your stove for many years to come.